Project information

Core funding for michael house rebuilding lives.

To ensure financial viability to continue our good work with the 33 homeless and vulnerable men and women in our care following loss of council funding and to press on with plans to expand. In particular we would like to fulfil the need in our community for a dedicated hostel for women.

Charity information: Michael House

Need

Broken lives as a result of homelessness has been a major problem in Bournemouth area over the last twenty years.
Need is demonstrated by the fact that we a constantly operate to full capacity. Local Rough Sleeper Street Counts are consistantly in double figures with a notable need for hostel / supported accommodation and homeless services. Soup kitchens, with which three of our directors have considerable experience, have been crowded throughout this period.

Solution

By providing respect, care and support. for our residents.
We aim to restore self esteem, assist with life skills, access further education where necessary, facilitate training for employment to enable them to return to play useful roles in the community.

Impact

Many of our residents have had problems with alcohol and drugs in the past, some are ex-offenders. We have had considerable success with residents obtaining employment, coming off benefits and resettling in their own accommodation.

Risk

We lost our council funding for care and support at the end of 2009 but have continued to meet the needs of the 33 men and women by bridging some of the considerable gap left in our finances by fund raising and grants received from charitable trusts albeit having to use some our reserves in the short term.

Reporting

We report to the "Friends of Michael House at AGM, Open days and by Easter, Summer and Christmas newsletters.

Location

Beneficiaries

Why Us?

We are an independent non-denominational charity enjoying a good local reputation.
We have an established track record over 19 years. We pioneered the first ever Night Shelter and Day Centre for the homeless in Dorset which operated for a decade.
We opened our present project at Michael House in 2000 and recently recorded our 500th resident.
We have received many testimonials. Three of our Directors have received civil/papal awards for services to the community in recent years